Boy rescued from burning home in Havelock continues to recover

Fire burns a home Tuesday in Havelock. A 2-year-old boy rescued from the home was listed in good condition Wednesday in a Greenville hospital.

Drew C. Wilson/Havelock News

By Havelock News

Published: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 02:01 PM.

A 2-year-old boy rescued from a burning home Tuesday in Havelock continues to recover in the hospital.

Dylan Burkett was listed in good condition Wednesday at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, according to a hospital spokesman.

Burkett’s grandfather, Richard Matson Sr., said doctors want to keep the toddler on oxygen for a couple of days to help him recover from smoke inhalation.

Havelock Fire Chief Rick Zaccardelli said Wednesday that the investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.

The blaze started in the front part of the single-story, wood-frame home around noon on Tuesday. Father William Burkett managed to get one son, 3-year-old Little Will, out of the fire but could not get to 2-year-old Dylan, who was napping in a back bedroom.

As fire crews arrived, the front of the house was fully engulfed in flames. Havelock firefighter/paramedic Charlie Winter entered the home through a side window, and after searching through thick, black smoke, heard the boy crying. He followed the sound and found the boy on a bed in a bedroom. He passed the young boy through the window to fellow firefighter/paramedic Megan Lashway, who carried him to an ambulance for treatment.

Winter sustained slight burns on two of his fingers during the rescue.

A 2-year-old boy rescued from a burning home Tuesday in Havelock continues to recover in the hospital.

Dylan Burkett was listed in good condition Wednesday at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, according to a hospital spokesman.

Burkett’s grandfather, Richard Matson Sr., said doctors want to keep the toddler on oxygen for a couple of days to help him recover from smoke inhalation.

Havelock Fire Chief Rick Zaccardelli said Wednesday that the investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing.

The blaze started in the front part of the single-story, wood-frame home around noon on Tuesday. Father William Burkett managed to get one son, 3-year-old Little Will, out of the fire but could not get to 2-year-old Dylan, who was napping in a back bedroom.

As fire crews arrived, the front of the house was fully engulfed in flames. Havelock firefighter/paramedic Charlie Winter entered the home through a side window, and after searching through thick, black smoke, heard the boy crying. He followed the sound and found the boy on a bed in a bedroom. He passed the young boy through the window to fellow firefighter/paramedic Megan Lashway, who carried him to an ambulance for treatment.

Winter sustained slight burns on two of his fingers during the rescue.

William Burkett and Destiny Matson lived in the home with their four children. Burkett and the two boys were the only ones home at the time the fire started.

The family lost everything in the fire, including the family van, which was parked in front of the home and had heavy damage.

“She just took her whole tax check and put it into that new van, and it’s all burned up,” Richard Matson said of his daughter.

The Red Cross and area churches are helping the family, and a fund has been set up to take monetary donations. Checks noting Matson/Burkett Fire Fund can be made out to White Oak Church of God, 5054 Highway 24, Newport, NC 28570. Those wishing to donate items can call 252-393-8484.

“I can’t believe the beautiful world we live in,” Richard Matson said of the outpouring of support for his grandson and family. “The community has been outstanding.”